It is an era in which cutting-edge digital technologies, led by artificial intelligence (AI), determine industrial competitiveness. In line with this trend, Yeonsung University (President Kwon Min-hee) has launched full-scale “AI+X (AI plus various disciplines and industries) convergence education,” which combines digital technologies such as AI with the fashion and beauty industries.

This model goes beyond simply learning AI to teaching ways of applying AI directly to real-world fashion and beauty industry settings. The entire curriculum has been redesigned, from capacity-building programs for incumbent beauty professionals and practice-based, department-focused curricula to global exchanges and the digital transformation of fashion creation and production. Through this, Yeonsung University aims to lead the AI Transformation (AX) of the K-Beauty and K-Fashion industries.

● Advanced AI + field-based education by beauty industry segment

The AI+X convergence education has brought about pronounced changes in major courses. The Beauty Stylist Department is organically connecting AI- and digital-based education with its core majors in hair design, makeup, and skin care.

Hair Design major course content now reflects expanded job competencies that encompass AI-based design, data-driven customized care, and digital marketing. The Makeup major has established a practice-oriented education model centered on co-teaching (a teaching method in which two or more instructors teach in the same classroom), field training, and mentoring through long-term cooperation with global companies. The Skin Care major, through its “Smart Beauty Advisor” program, is training professionals capable of utilizing information and communications technology (ICT)-based beauty devices. The goal is to foster skin care consultants who can meet the individual needs of consumers.


● Expansion into fashion and digital production

The Fashion Design Business Department is strengthening its digital fashion pipeline education—covering patternmaking, production, styling, and distribution—through classes that use three-dimensional (3D) garment production tools and Unreal Engine (a real-time 3D game engine and graphics solution creation tool). Students are able to experience the entire fashion process in virtual reality. The department is also conducting digital pattern conversion training for incumbent professionals, thereby realizing AX in the fashion industry.

President Kwon Min-hee stated, “AI is not a choice but a necessity,” adding, “We will cultivate talent that leads trends in the industrial field through new education that converges AI-digital technologies with the fashion and beauty industries.” Kwon continued, “Based on industry-academia consortium cooperation and international networks, we will continue to expand our practice-centered AI transformation education model.”

● Intensive AI-digital program for incumbents: ‘AI Beauty Tech’

Last year, Yeonsung University was selected by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for Lifelong Education as an operator of the “Intensive AID (AI and Digital) Program for Incumbent Workers,” and is currently running a beauty industry-specialized program titled “AI Beauty Tech.” Only 10 universities nationwide, including general universities, were selected for this initiative.

The industry-academia linked AI Beauty Tech program, organized as a consortium with Konyang University, Megazone Cloud, and Toni&Guy Korea, is comprised of three practice-centered courses: AI-based hair design, customized hair care for clients, and hair salon management and marketing. It is characterized not only by the introduction of advanced technologies but also by hands-on practice and the production of outputs geared toward direct field application.

These courses are available free of charge to anyone on the K-MOOC (Korean Massive Open Online Course) platform. Participants can acquire up-to-date AI and digital competencies without constraints of time and place. Those who complete the courses are issued an “Integrated Digital Badge,” which can be used for certificate acquisition and career development. The program is designed to help beauty industry incumbents have their achievements recognized and broaden their careers.

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